whim
20 synonyms for whim, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A sudden, playful, or impulsive idea or desire, with little or no real reason behind it.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use whim
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
on a whim
a passing whim
act on a whim
Etymology
A shortened form of the older word whim-wham, itself of uncertain origin, likely echoing the playful, erratic feel of the idea it describes.
Full origin of whim →Frequently asked questions
What does “whim” mean?
The word “whim” means a sudden, playful, or impulsive idea or desire, with little or no real reason behind it. In plain terms, a sudden urge to do something, usually without much planning or serious reason.
How do you pronounce “whim”?
“Whim” is pronounced wihm (/wɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “whim” in a sentence?
Here is “whim” used in a sentence: “On a whim, they booked flights to Lisbon for the weekend.”
What is another word for “whim”?
Words with a similar meaning to “whim” include boutade, caprice, capriccio, conceit, crotchet and fancy.
What part of speech is “whim”?
“Whim” is a noun.
Is “whim” a common word?
“Whim” is an uncommon word in modern English.
